EP3617466B1 - Exhaust gas purification system and automotive vehicle - Google Patents

Exhaust gas purification system and automotive vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3617466B1
EP3617466B1 EP17906982.8A EP17906982A EP3617466B1 EP 3617466 B1 EP3617466 B1 EP 3617466B1 EP 17906982 A EP17906982 A EP 17906982A EP 3617466 B1 EP3617466 B1 EP 3617466B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
exhaust gas
purifying
driving distance
set value
amount
Prior art date
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EP17906982.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3617466A4 (en
EP3617466A1 (en
Inventor
Makoto Tsuji
Hiroto Imai
Kou Sugawara
Shintaro Kobayashi
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Cataler Corp
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Cataler Corp
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Publication of EP3617466A4 publication Critical patent/EP3617466A4/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N11/00—Monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus, e.g. for catalytic activity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N11/00—Monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus, e.g. for catalytic activity
    • F01N11/007—Monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus, e.g. for catalytic activity the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/92—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases of engine exhaust gases
    • B01D53/94—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases of engine exhaust gases by catalytic processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/92—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases of engine exhaust gases
    • B01D53/94—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases of engine exhaust gases by catalytic processes
    • B01D53/9404—Removing only nitrogen compounds
    • B01D53/9409—Nitrogen oxides
    • B01D53/9431—Processes characterised by a specific device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/0807—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents
    • F01N3/0814—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents combined with catalytic converters, e.g. NOx absorption/storage reduction catalysts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/0807—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents
    • F01N3/0828—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents characterised by the absorbed or adsorbed substances
    • F01N3/0842—Nitrogen oxides
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/18—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control
    • F01N3/20—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control specially adapted for catalytic conversion ; Methods of operation or control of catalytic converters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/18—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control
    • F01N3/20—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operation; Control specially adapted for catalytic conversion ; Methods of operation or control of catalytic converters
    • F01N3/2066—Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2330/00—Structure of catalyst support or particle filter
    • F01N2330/06—Ceramic, e.g. monoliths
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2370/00—Selection of materials for exhaust purification
    • F01N2370/02—Selection of materials for exhaust purification used in catalytic reactors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2510/00—Surface coverings
    • F01N2510/06—Surface coverings for exhaust purification, e.g. catalytic reaction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2550/00—Monitoring or diagnosing the deterioration of exhaust systems
    • F01N2550/02—Catalytic activity of catalytic converters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2560/00—Exhaust systems with means for detecting or measuring exhaust gas components or characteristics
    • F01N2560/02—Exhaust systems with means for detecting or measuring exhaust gas components or characteristics the means being an exhaust gas sensor
    • F01N2560/026—Exhaust systems with means for detecting or measuring exhaust gas components or characteristics the means being an exhaust gas sensor for measuring or detecting NOx
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/04—Methods of control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/0416—Methods of control or diagnosing using the state of a sensor, e.g. of an exhaust gas sensor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/04—Methods of control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/0422—Methods of control or diagnosing measuring the elapsed time
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/06—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/08—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing said parameters being related to the engine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/06—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/10—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing said parameters being related to the vehicle or its components
    • F01N2900/102—Travelling distance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00—Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/06—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/14—Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing said parameters being related to the exhaust gas
    • F01N2900/1411—Exhaust gas flow rate, e.g. mass flow rate or volumetric flow rate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/02—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust
    • F01N3/021—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters
    • F01N3/033—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters in combination with other devices
    • F01N3/035—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters in combination with other devices with catalytic reactors, e.g. catalysed diesel particulate filters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/24—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by constructional aspects of converting apparatus
    • F01N3/28—Construction of catalytic reactors
    • F01N3/2803—Construction of catalytic reactors characterised by structure, by material or by manufacturing of catalyst support
    • F01N3/2825—Ceramics
    • F01N3/2828—Ceramic multi-channel monoliths, e.g. honeycombs
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/40—Engine management systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an exhaust gas-purifying system according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • An automotive vehicle mounted with a combustion engine such as a diesel engine purifies exhaust gas emitted by the combustion engine using one or more exhaust gas-purifying catalysts so that the exhaust gas can be released to the atmosphere. Therefore, the deterioration in performance of the exhaust gas purifying catalysts causes an increased concentration of harmful components in exhaust gas released to the atmosphere, for example, the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NO x ).
  • Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-18023 discloses a diagnostic apparatus that evaluates a deterioration degree of a NO x -occluded catalyst.
  • This diagnostic apparatus evaluates a deterioration degree of a NO x occluded catalyst based on a ratio between a NO x concentration at an inlet part of the NO x -occluded catalyst and a NO x concentration at an outlet part of the NO x -occluded catalyst that is obtained when the NO x concentration at the outlet part of the NO x -occluded catalyst takes the minimum value during a period between a rich spike and a next rich spike.
  • Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2012-36856 discloses the diagnostic apparatus configured to evaluate a deterioration degree of a diesel oxidation catalyst for an exhaust gas-purifying system including the diesel oxidation catalyst and a selective reduction catalyst that is installed on the downstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst and reduces NO x to nitrogen.
  • This diagnostic apparatus includes a sensor characteristic storage means that stores a relationship between a ratio of a detection value output from a NO x sensor installed on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst to the amount of NO x in exhaust gas on the upstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst, and a proportion of NO 2 in the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst.
  • the amount of NO x in the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst is a value calculated from both the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst and an air supply flow rate or an exhaust flow rate.
  • the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst is a value obtained by referring for an operating condition of a diesel engine, to a map describing a relationship between the operating condition of the diesel engine, for example, the accelerator opening and rotational speed, and the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst.
  • the above-mentioned proportion of NO 2 indicates a ratio of the amount of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst to the amount of NO x in the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst.
  • Publication No. 2012-36856 calculates the amount of NO x in the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the diesel oxidation catalyst from an operating condition of the diesel engine and an air supply flow rate or an exhaust flow rate, and computes the proportion of NO 2 in the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst by referring a ratio of a detection value output from NO x sensor to the aforementioned NO x amount, to a relationship stored in the sensor characteristic storage means. The diagnostic system then evaluates a deterioration degree of the diesel oxidation catalyst based on this proportion of NO 2 .
  • Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2012-219740 discloses that an air-fuel ratio is switched from fuel-lean to fuel-rich, and the decrease in NO x concentration over time is determined as a NO x purification rate for exhaust gas that has passed through a catalyst, thereby evaluating the exhaust gas-purifying performance of a catalyst based on this NO x purification rate.
  • EP2119882 A1 discloses an exhaust gas-purifying system according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a system is able to diagnose a deterioration of a NOx catalyst. It is a drawback of such a system that detailed information about the NOx emissions of the vehicle are hard to obtain.
  • JP H09-144 531 A relates to a device comprises a catalytic device promoting oxidation or reduction of a harmful component contained in exhaust gas of an engine having a nitrogen oxide gas sensor arranged behind the catalytic device to generate an output corresponding to concentration of NOx contained in exhaust gas.
  • An amplifier amplifies the output of the nitrogen oxide gas sensor and generates pulses depending on the NOx concentration. The number of pulses generated from the amplifier is counted and when the number of pulses exceeds a predetermined number, it is assumed that the catalyst device has deteriorated.
  • the regulations on NO x emissions are likely to become stricter, and eventually NO x emissions in actual driving will be regulated.
  • the inventors of the present invention are concerned about the possibility that the technique described above lets NO x in amount exceeding a reference value be emitted in actual driving.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas-purifying technique that reduces the possibility that NO x in amount exceeding a reference value is emitted in actual driving.
  • the invention solves this problem by means of an exhaust gas-purifying system according to claim 1.
  • the processing section calculates an amount of nitrogen oxides emitted by the automobile vehicle per unit driving distance from the concentration detected by the sensor within a time interval, an amount or a flow rate of air supplied to the combustion engine within the time interval or an amount or a flow rate of the exhaust gas emitted by the combustion engine within the time interval, and a driving distance or a driving velocity of the automotive vehicle within the time interval, and if the calculated amount is less than a second set value or is less than or equal to the second set value, makes a judgment with respect to the at least one of the one or more exhaust gas-purifying catalysts, that a performance is maintained at a sufficient level.
  • the processing section calculates for each of two or more time intervals, an amount of nitrogen oxides emitted by the automobile vehicle per unit driving distance from the concentration detected by the sensor within the time interval, an amount or a flow rate of air supplied to the combustion engine within the time interval or an amount or a flow rate of the exhaust gas emitted by the combustion engine within the time interval, and a driving distance or a driving velocity of the automotive vehicle within the time interval, and estimates a cumulative driving distance at which the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted by the automotive vehicle per unit driving distance reaches a third set value, from a change in the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted by the automotive vehicle per unit driving distance with respect to a cumulative driving distance of the automotive vehicle.
  • the processing section makes a judgment with respect to the at least one of the one or more exhaust gas-purifying catalysts that a replacement is necessary or a replacement time is approaching if a difference between the estimated cumulative driving distance and an actual cumulative driving distance is less than a fourth set value or is less than or equal to the fourth set value.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying system further compress an output section that outputs a result of processing in the processing section.
  • the combustion engine is a diesel engine
  • the one or more exhaust gas-purifying catalysts include at least one of a storage and reduction catalyst, a urea selective reduction catalyst, and a hydrocarbon selective reduction catalyst.
  • the invention solves the problem by means of an automotive vehicle comprising the exhaust gas-purifying system according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an automotive vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an example of an exhaust gas-purifying system which can be mounted on the automotive vehicle shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a four-wheeled vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an automobile) 1 as an example of the automotive vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 omit some of the structural elements.
  • the terms “front” and “rear” will be used on the basis of a travel direction of the automobile 1, while the terms “upstream” and “downstream” will be used on the basis of a flow of exhaust gas.
  • the automobile 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a four-wheeled drive vehicle in which a diesel engine 50 shown in FIG. 2 is mounted in front of a passenger room.
  • the automobile 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a vehicle body.
  • the vehicle body includes a frame (not shown) and a body 10.
  • the frame and the body 10 may be integrated. That is, the vehicle body may adopt a unibody construction.
  • the frame is mounted with a drive system, a suspension system, an accelerating system, a brake system, a steering system, etc.
  • the drive system includes a combustion engine, an air supply system, an exhaust system, a fuel supply system, a power transmission system, etc.
  • the combustion engine corresponds to the diesel engine 50 shown in FIG. 2 , as described above.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates, as structural elements of the diesel engine 50, a cylinder 51, a piston head 52, a connecting rod 53, an intake valve 54, an exhaust valve 55, and a fuel injection nozzle 56 only.
  • the diesel engine 50 is a four-stroke cycle diesel engine.
  • the diesel engine 50 may be a two-stroke cycle diesel engine.
  • the air supply system includes an air filter, an air duct, and an air flow meter 60.
  • the air supply system takes in air from the outside of the vehicle, removes dust, etc. from the air with an air filter, and then supplies the air to a combustion chamber of the diesel engine 50 through the air duct.
  • the air flow meter 60 detects a flow rate of air flowing through the air duct.
  • the air supply system may further include a supercharger capable of supplying air increased in pressure to the combustion chamber.
  • the exhaust system corresponds to an exhaust system 70 shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the exhaust system 70 purifies exhaust gas generated through the combustion of fuel, in this case, light oil, in the diesel engine 50, and functions to reduce exhaust note.
  • the exhaust system 70 includes catalytic converters 71 and 72, a muffler 73, a muffler cutter 74, pipes 75a, 75b, 75c and 75d, and sensors 76a and 76b.
  • the catalytic converters 71 and 72 and the pipe 75b constitute an exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a that purifies exhaust gas so that the exhaust gas can be released to the atmosphere.
  • the muffler 73, the pipe 75d, and the muffler cutter 74 constitute a muffler unit 70b.
  • the catalytic converter 71 includes a converter body 711, an exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712, and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) 713.
  • DPF diesel particulate filter
  • the converter body 711 is made of, for example, a metal or alloy.
  • the converter body 711 has a hollow structure provided with an inlet port and an outlet port.
  • the inlet port of the converter body 711 is connected to piston chambers of the diesel engine 50 via the pipe 75a and an exhaust manifold (not shown).
  • One end of the pipe 75b is connected to the outlet port of the converter body 711.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 is a monolith catalyst of a straight flow type.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 is contained in the converter body 711 so that the exhaust gas supplied to the inlet port of the converter body 711 passes through through-holes of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 and is then supplied to the diesel particulate filter 713.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 is a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). According to another example, the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 is a NO x storage and reduction (NSR) catalyst.
  • DOC diesel oxidation catalyst
  • NSR NO x storage and reduction
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 includes a monolith honeycomb substrate and a catalytic layer provided on partition walls of the monolith honeycomb substrate.
  • the monolith honeycomb substrate is, for example, a column provided with through-holes each extending from one of the bases to the other of the bases.
  • the monolith honeycomb substrate is made of, for example, ceramics such as cordierite and silicon carbide.
  • the catalytic layer is provided on the partition walls of the monolith honeycomb substrate.
  • the catalytic layer may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.
  • the catalytic layer includes, for example, a first carrier and a first precious metal element.
  • the first carrier is particles made of a refractory material such as alumina.
  • the first carrier carries the first precious metal element.
  • the first carrier increases the surface area of the first precious metal and dissipates the heat generated by the catalytic reaction so as to suppress sintering of the first precious metal.
  • the first precious metal element is, for example, an element of platinum group such as platinum and palladium.
  • the catalytic layer may include only a single precious metal element or a plurality of precious metal elements as the first precious metal element.
  • the first precious metal element promotes oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in exhaust gas.
  • CO carbon monoxide
  • HC hydrocarbons
  • PM particulate matter
  • the catalytic layer includes, for example, a second carrier, a second precious metal element, and a NO x storage material.
  • the second carrier is particles made of a refractory material such as alumina.
  • the second carrier carries the second precious metal element and optionally, the NO x storage material.
  • the second carrier increases the surface area of the second precious metal and dissipates the heat generated by the catalytic reaction so as to suppress sintering of the second precious metal.
  • the second precious metal element is, for example, an element of platinum group such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
  • the second precious metal element promotes the reduction reaction of NO x in the exhaust gas. By the action of the second precious metal element, the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas is lowered.
  • the NO x storage material is, for example, a compound in a form of carbonate or oxide that includes at least one of barium, potassium, lithium, and cerium, or a combination of such compounds.
  • the NO x storage material stores NO x under an oxidizing atmosphere and releases NO x under a reducing atmosphere.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 is a monolith catalyst of a wall flow type.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 is contained in the converter body 711 so that the exhaust gas that has passed through the through-holes of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 penetrates through the partition walls of the diesel particulate filter 713 and is then emitted from the outlet port of the converter body 711 to the outside of the catalytic converter 71.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 removes the particulate matter from the exhaust gas.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 includes a filter substrate.
  • the filter substrate includes, for example, a honeycomb structure and plugs.
  • the honeycomb structure is, for example, a column provided with through-holes each extending from one of the bases to the other of the bases.
  • the honeycomb structure includes porous partition walls that constitute side walls of the through-holes, that is, separate the adjacent through-holes.
  • the porous partition walls allow the exhaust gas to pass through without allowing almost all of the particulate matter carried by the exhaust gas to penetrate therethrough.
  • honeycomb structure for example, ceramics such as cordierite and silicon carbide can be used.
  • a nonwoven fabric made of metal may be incorporated in the honeycomb structure.
  • plugs plug some of holes of the honeycomb structure on the downstream side.
  • the plugs that plug holes on the downstream side and the porous partition walls that constitute the side walls of these holes form upstream cells that open on the upstream side.
  • the remaining plugs plug the remaining holes of the honeycomb structure on the upstream side.
  • the plugs that plug holes on the upstream side and the porous partition walls that constitute the side walls of these holes form downstream cells that open on the downstream side.
  • plugs are disposed in a manner such that a hole whose downstream side is plugged with a plug and a hole whose upstream side is plugged with a plug are adjacent to each other with the porous partition wall interposed therebetween. That is, the upstream cells and the downstream cells are adjacent to each other with the porous partition wall interposed therebetween.
  • ceramics such as cordierite and silicon carbide can be used.
  • the exhaust gas that has passed through the through-holes of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 712 first flows into the upstream cells of the diesel particulate filter 713. Then, the exhaust gas penetrates through the porous partition walls separating the upstream cells and the downstream cells, thereby flowing into the downstream cells. At this time, the particulate matter is removed from the exhaust gas.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 may further have other functions. That is, the diesel particulate filter 713 may further include a catalytic layer provided on the honeycomb structure and/or the plugs.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 may have, in addition to the function as a filter, a function as a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, for example, a function of promoting the reduction of NO x to nitrogen by the reaction with hydrocarbons or ammonia. That is, the diesel particulate filter 713 may further have a function as a urea selective reduction catalyst or a hydrocarbon selective reduction catalyst.
  • SCR selective catalytic reduction
  • its catalytic layer can include, as an active component, zeolite in which alkali metal ions such as sodium ions and potassium ions are partially exchanged with transition metal ions such as iron ions and copper ions.
  • alkali metal ions such as sodium ions and potassium ions are partially exchanged with transition metal ions such as iron ions and copper ions.
  • oxides of base metals such as tungsten and vanadium can also be used.
  • the exhaust system 70 is further provided with a first injector that injects an aqueous urea solution into exhaust gas on the upstream side with respect to the diesel particulate filter 713.
  • a sensor 76a is installed on the pipe 75b.
  • the sensor 76a detects the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas emitted by the catalytic converter 71.
  • output of the sensor 76a is used to control the injection amount of ammonia or its precursor, e.g., urea aqueous solution, into the exhaust gas.
  • the catalytic converter 72 includes a converter body 721 and an exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722.
  • the converter body 721 is made of, for example, metal or alloy.
  • the converter body 721 has a hollow structure provided with an inlet port and an outlet port.
  • An inlet port of the converter body 711 is connected to an outlet port of the converter body 711 via the pipe 75b.
  • One end of the pipe 75c is connected to the outlet port of the converter body 721.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 is a monolith catalyst of a straight flow type.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 is contained in the converter body 721 so that the exhaust gas supplied to the inlet port of the converter body 721 passes through through-holes of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 and is then emitted from the outlet port of the converter body 721 to the outside of catalytic converter 72.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 has a function as a selective reduction catalyst and a function as an ammonia slip catalyst (ASC).
  • ASC ammonia slip catalyst
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 includes a monolith honeycomb substrate and a catalytic layer provided on partition walls of the monolith honeycomb substrate.
  • the monolith honeycomb substrate is, for example, a column provided with through-holes each extending from one of the bases to the other of the bases.
  • the monolith honeycomb substrate is made of, for example, ceramics such as cordierite and silicon carbide.
  • the catalytic layer is provided on the partition walls of the monolith honeycomb substrate.
  • the catalytic layer may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.
  • the catalytic layer may adopt, for example, a structure including a first layer and a second layer, in which the first layer is located on the partition walls of an upstream part of the substrate and has a function as a selective reduction catalyst, and the second layer is located on the partition walls of a downstream part of the substrate and has a function as an ammonia slip catalyst.
  • the catalytic layer may adopt a multilayer structure including a first layer that has a function as a selective reduction catalyst, and a second layer that is interposed between the first layer and the partition walls of the substrate and has a function as an ammonia slip catalyst.
  • an active component of the first layer having a function as a selective reduction catalyst for example, zeolite in which alkali metal ions such as sodium ions and potassium ions are partially exchanged with transition metal ions such as iron ions and copper ions can be used.
  • alkali metal ions such as sodium ions and potassium ions are partially exchanged with transition metal ions such as iron ions and copper ions
  • oxides of base metals such as tungsten and vanadium can also be used.
  • the ammonia slip catalyst is an oxidation catalyst and promotes oxidation of unreacted ammonia. Although oxidation of ammonia produces nitrogen oxides, the amount of nitrogen oxides produced in the ammonia slip catalyst is small because the amount of the unreacted ammonia is small, too. Thus, the ammonia slip catalyst decreases the concentration of ammonia in the exhaust gas without causing a significant increase in the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas.
  • the second layer having a function as an ammonia slip catalyst contains, for example, a third carrier and a third precious metal element.
  • the third carrier is particles made of a refractory material such as alumina.
  • the third carrier carries the third precious metal element.
  • the third carrier increases the surface area of the third precious metal and dissipates the heat generated by the catalytic reaction so as to suppress sintering of the third precious metal.
  • the third precious metal element is, for example, an element of platinum group such as platinum and palladium.
  • the third precious metal element promotes oxidation of ammonia.
  • the second layer may include only a single precious metal element or a plurality of precious metal elements as the third precious metal element.
  • the second layer may include only platinum, or both platinum and palladium.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 has both a function as a selective reduction catalyst and a function as an ammonia slip catalyst.
  • the exhaust system 70 is, for example, not provided with the first injector but is provided with only a second injector that injects ammonia or its precursor, e.g., urea aqueous solution, into the exhaust gas at a position between the diesel particulate filter 713 and the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722.
  • the diesel particulate filter 713 is given a function as a selective reduction catalyst, for example, part of the ammonia or its precursor injected into the exhaust gas by the first injector may not be entirely consumed in the catalytic converter 71 and may be supplied to the catalytic converter 72. Accordingly, in the case where the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst 722 has both a function as a selective reduction catalyst and a function as an ammonia slip catalyst and the diesel particulate filter 713 is given a function as a selective reduction catalyst, the exhaust system 70 may or may not be provided with the second injector described above.
  • the sensor 76b is installed on the pipe 75c.
  • the sensor 76b detects the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas emitted by the catalytic converter 72.
  • Output of the sensor 76b is used, for example, to make a judgment with respect to at least one of exhaust gas-purifying catalysts included in the exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a as to whether or not the performance is maintained at a sufficient level.
  • Output of the sensor 76b can also be used to control the injection amount of ammonia or its precursor, e.g., urea aqueous solution, into the exhaust gas.
  • the muffler 73 is made of, for example, a metal or alloy.
  • the muffler 73 is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port, and has a hollow structure whose inside is divided into a plurality of chambers.
  • the muffler 73 functions to reduce exhaust note.
  • the inlet port of the muffler 73 is connected to the outlet port of the converter body via the pipe 75c.
  • One end of the pipe 75d is connected to the outlet port of the muffler 73.
  • the muffler cutter 74 is made of, for example, a metal or alloy.
  • the muffler cutter 74 has a hollow structure provided with an inlet port and an outlet port.
  • the inlet port of the muffler cutter 74 is connected to the other end of the pipe 75d.
  • the muffler cutter 74 can be omitted.
  • the fuel supply system includes a fuel tank, a fuel injection pump, and a fuel pipe.
  • the fuel supply system operates the fuel injection pump, thereby sending light oil contained in the fuel tank to the fuel injection nozzle 56 via the fuel pipe.
  • the automobile 1 shown in FIG. 1 controls the operation of the fuel injection pump, thereby adjusting the output of the diesel engine 50 shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the power transmission system includes a transmission, a drive shaft, a differential, and axles.
  • the power transmission system transmits, for example, rotational motion of the diesel engine 50 to the axles via the transmission, the drive shaft, and the differential.
  • the suspension system includes suspensions, wheels, and tires 20 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the suspensions are fixed to the frame and rotatably support axles for front and rear wheels.
  • the wheels are connected to the axles and support the tires 20 inside them.
  • the accelerating system includes an accelerator pedal.
  • the accelerating system changes the amount of light oil injected by the fuel injection nozzle 56 shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with, for example, the displacement of the accelerator pedal.
  • the brake system includes a brake pedal and brake bodies.
  • the brake bodies are, for example, disc brakes each including a brake caliper attached to the suspension and a brake disc attached to the axle.
  • the brake system changes braking force of the brake bodies in accordance with, for example, the displacement of the brake pedal.
  • the steering system includes a steering wheel, a steering arm, a steering gear, a pitman arm, and a tie rod.
  • the steering system changes the direction of the front wheels according to the rotation angle of the steering.
  • the vehicle body further includes a control section 80 shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the control section 80 makes a judgment with respect to at least one of exhaust gas-purifying catalysts as to whether or not the performance is maintained at a sufficient level, based on the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas detected by the sensor 76b.
  • the control section 80 includes a processing section 810 and a storage section 820.
  • the control section 80 together with the exhaust gas purifying unit 70a, constitutes an exhaust gas-purifying system.
  • the processing section 810 includes a central processing unit (CPU).
  • CPU central processing unit
  • the processing section 810 is connected to the sensors 76a and 76b and the injector described above.
  • the processing section 810 controls the operation of the injector based on the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas detected by the sensors 76a and 76b.
  • the processing section 810 is further connected to the air flow meter 60, the storage section 820, and the speedometer 90 and the display section 100, which will be described later.
  • a distance meter may be connected to the processing section 810.
  • the processing section 810 may be connected to a sensor connected to the speedometer 90 or the distance meter.
  • the processing section 810 makes a judgment with respect to at least one of exhaust gas purifying-catalysts as to whether or not the performance is maintained at a sufficient level, based on the outputs of the sensor 76b, the air flow meter 60, and the speedometer 90. Then, the processing section 810 outputs the result of this judgment to the display section 100. The operation of the processing section 810 will be described in detail later.
  • the storage section 820 is connected to the processing section 810.
  • the storage section 820 includes a nonvolatile memory that stores a program read by the processing section 810 and data supplied from the processing section 810.
  • the vehicle body further includes seats 30 and a dashboard 40 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the dashboard 40 separates an engine room in which the diesel engine 50, the air supply system, etc., are arranged, and a passenger room in which the seats 30 are arranged.
  • a speed indicator, a warning light, etc. are installed on the dashboard 40.
  • the display section 100 shown in FIG. 2 is installed on the dashboard 40.
  • the display section 100 is an example of an output section that outputs a result of judgment made by the processing section 810 regarding the performance of an exhaust gas-purifying catalyst.
  • the display section 100 displays a result of judgment made by the processing section 810 regarding the performance of an exhaust gas-purifying catalyst so that, for example, a driver or a mechanic or inspector can perceive the result.
  • the display section 100 may be installed at a position other than the dashboard 40.
  • the display section 100 is, for example, a direct view display, a projection display such as a head-up display, a warning light, or a combination of them.
  • a liquid crystal display for example, an organic electroluminescent display, a light-emitting diode, or a combination of them can be used.
  • the display section 100 can be omitted.
  • control section 80 is provided with a communication section that enables wired or wireless communications
  • a result of judgment made by the processing section 810 regarding the performance of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst may be displayed on a device such as a smart phone through communications between this device and the control section 80.
  • the communication section corresponds to the aforementioned output section.
  • a configuration in which a driver or a mechanic or inspector is notified, through display, of a result of judgment made by the processing section 810 regarding the performance of an exhaust gas-purifying catalyst a configuration in which such a person is notified of such a result through warning sound such as buzzer, voice guidance, etc., may be adopted.
  • a buzzer or a voice guidance device corresponds to the aforementioned output section.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of control performed by the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of change over time in the NO x concentration detected by the sensor included in the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 5 is a graph showing another example of change over time in the NO x concentration detected by the sensor included in the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the NO x emission amount per unit driving distance.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph showing another example of the NO x emission amount per unit driving distance.
  • FIG. 8 is a graph showing yet another example of the NO x emission amount per unit driving distance.
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of change over time in the NO x concentration detected by the sensor included in the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 5 is a graph showing another example of change over time in the NO x concentration detected by the
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing yet another example of the NO x emission amount per unit driving distance.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 warns a driver that a time to replace a catalyst is approaching.
  • FIG. 11 is a graph for illustrating a method of estimating based on the NO x emission amount, a cumulative driving distance at which the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted by an automotive vehicle per unit driving distance reaches the third set value.
  • An increase in cumulative driving distance of the automobile 1 shown in FIG. 1 involves change in performance of at least one of exhaust gas-purifying catalysts included in the exhaust gas purifying unit 70a shown in FIG. 2 .
  • a significant decrease in performance of the exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a generates a possibility that NO x in amount exceeding a regulation value is emitted. If the control shown in FIG. 3 is performed, such a possibility can be reduced.
  • the first to fourth set values are stored in advance in the storage section 820 shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the first set value is a threshold related to the concentration of NO x in the exhaust gas just before it is released to the atmosphere.
  • the second set value is a threshold related to the NO x emission amount per unit driving distance.
  • the first set value is 200 ppm, while the second set value is greater than 0.11 g/km and less than 0.20 g/km.
  • the third set value is a threshold related to the NO x emission amount per unit driving distance, and is a value less than the second set value.
  • the fourth set value is a threshold related to a difference ⁇ D1 between a cumulative driving distance D1 at which the NO x emission amount reaches the third set value and an actual cumulative driving distance D.
  • the sensor 76b, the speedometer 90, and the air flow meter 60 are connected to the processing section 810 shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the sensor 76b detects a NO x concentration C1 in the exhaust gas.
  • the speedometer 90 measures a driving velocity V1 of the automobile 1 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the air flow meter 60 detects a flow rate F1 of the air flowing into the diesel engine 50.
  • the processing section 810 shown in FIG. 2 obtains signals related to the NO x concentration C1, the driving velocity V1, and the air flow rate F1, from the sensor 76b, the speedometer 90, and the air flow meter 60, respectively (step S1 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the processing section 810 calculates a driving distance D at time t2, from the driving distance ⁇ D or the driving velocity V1 of the automobile 1 within the aforementioned time interval ⁇ t and a past driving distance D0 stored in the storage section 820.
  • the processing section 810 calculates the NO x emission amount E1 per unit driving distance and the driving distance D from signals corresponding to the NO x concentration C1, the driving velocity, and the air flow rate F1 (step S2 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the storage section 820 stores the NO x emission amount E1 and the driving distance D (step S3 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the NO x emission amount E1 per unit driving distance is calculated, for example, using the following equation.
  • E 1 ⁇ t 1 t 2 F 1 28.89 ⁇ C 1 ⁇ M NOx V 1 dt
  • t1 and t2 represent time.
  • the difference (time interval ⁇ t) between the time t2 and the time t1 corresponds to a fixed time or a time required to drive a fixed distance.
  • the difference between time t2 and time t1 is fixed.
  • M NOx is an average molecular weight of NO x , and is a constant in this example.
  • NO x being a mixture that contains nitrogen oxide (NO) having a molecular weight of 30 and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) having a molecular weight of 46 in a molar ratio of 1:1
  • NO 2 nitrogen dioxide
  • the NO x concentration C1 corresponds to a volume concentration (volume/volume). Furthermore, the units of the NO x emission amount E1, the driving velocity V1, and the air flow rate F1 are "g/km”, “km/sec”, and "g/sec", respectively.
  • the processing section 810 compares the NO x concentration C1 with the first set value (step S4 in FIG. 3 ). As shown in FIG. 4 , in the case where the NO x concentration C1 is less than the first set value or is less than or equal to the first set value, the processing section 810 makes a judgment with respect to the exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a, in particular, at least one, for example, all of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, that the performance is maintained at a sufficient level. In this case, the control section 80 repeats the sequence including steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the processing section 810 compares the NO x emission amount E1 with the second set value (step S5 shown in FIG. 3 ). As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , when the NO x emission amount E1 is less than the second set value or is less than or equal to the second set value, the processing section 810 makes a judgment with respect to the exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a, in particular, at least one, for example, all of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, that the performance is maintained at a sufficient level. In this case, the controlling section 80 repeats the sequence including step S1 and the subsequent steps shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the controlling section 80 when the NO x emission amount E1 is greater than or equal to the second set value or exceeds the second set value, the controlling section 80 outputs a video signal corresponding to the first warning information to the display section 100.
  • the display section 100 notifies a driver of the first warning information, for example, by displaying it as a character string, such as shown in FIG. 10 (step S6 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the display section 100 may display the first warning information in a form other than characters, such as a mark.
  • the processing section 810 estimates the cumulative driving distance D1 at which the NO x emission amount E1 reaches the third set value (step S7 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the processing section 810 calculates the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted by the automobile per unit driving distance for each of two or more time intervals ⁇ t from: the NO x concentration C1 detected by the sensor 76b within the time interval ⁇ t; the amount or the flow rate F1 of air supplied to the diesel engine 50 within the time interval ⁇ t or the amount or the flow rate of exhaust gas emitted by the diesel engine 50 within the time interval ⁇ t; and the driving distance or the driving velocity V1 of the automobile 1 within the time interval ⁇ t.
  • the processing section 810 estimates the cumulative driving distance D1 at which the amount E1 of NO x emitted by the automobile 1 per unit driving distance reaches the third set value, from the change in the amount E1 of nitrogen oxides emitted by the automobile 1 per unit driving distance with respect to the cumulative driving distance D of the automobile 1.
  • the processing section 810 determines a relationship between the NO x emission amount E1 and the driving distance D from two or more sets of data already stored in the storage section 820, in which each of the sets includes the NO x emission amount E1 and the driving distance D, as shown in FIG. 11 .
  • the processing section 810 estimates by extrapolation the cumulative driving distance D1 at which the NO x emission amount E1 reaches the third set value.
  • the processing section 810 calculates the difference ⁇ D1 between the estimated cumulative driving distance D1 and the actual cumulative driving distance D (step S8 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the processing section 810 then compares the difference ⁇ D1 with a fourth set value (step S9 in FIG. 3 ). If the difference ⁇ D1 is greater than or equal to the fourth set value or exceeds the fourth set value, the controlling section 80 repeats the sequence including step S1 and the subsequent steps shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the controlling section 80 makes a judgment with respect to the components included in the exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a, in particular, at least one of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, that the replacement is necessary or the replacement time is approaching. In this case, the controlling section 80 outputs a video signal corresponding to the second warning information to the display section 100.
  • the display section 100 notifies a driver of the second warning information by displaying it (step S10 in FIG. 3 ).
  • the first warning information and the second warning information may be identical or different. If the first warning information and the second warning information are identical, for example, the first warning information is continuously displayed and the second warning information is displayed in a blinking manner so that the first warning information and the second warning information can be distinguished from each other.
  • the sensor 76b detects the concentration C1 of NO x contained in the exhaust gas purified by the exhaust gas-purifying unit 70a that purifies exhaust gas so that the exhaust gas can be released to the atmosphere. That is, the measurement of the NO x concentration C1 is performed on the exhaust gas having passed through the last exhaust gas-purifying catalyst. Based on this NO x concentration C1, the processing section 80 makes a judgment with respect to at least one of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, as to whether or not the performance is maintained at a sufficient level. Therefore, there is a low possibility that the NO x in amount exceeding a reference value is emitted in actual driving of this automobile 1.
  • the amount E1 of NO x emitted by the automobile 1 per unit driving distance is calculated from the NO x concentration C1, the air flow rate F1, and the driving velocity V1.
  • the NO x emission amount E1 is compared with the second set value to make a judgment with respect to at least one of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, as to whether the performance is maintained at a sufficient level. Therefore, there is a lower possibility that the NO x in amount exceeding a reference value is emitted in actual driving of the automobile 1.
  • This automobile 1 estimates the cumulative driving distance D1 at which the NO x emission amount E1 reaches the third set value, compares the difference ⁇ D1 between the estimated cumulative driving distance D1 and the actual cumulative driving distance D with the fourth set value, and makes a judgment with respect to at least one of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, as to whether the replacement is necessary or the replacement time is approaching. Therefore, there is an even lower possibility that the NO x in amount exceeding a reference value is emitted in actual driving of the automobile 1.
  • the automobile 1 notifies a driver, etc., of the first warning information. Furthermore, as a result of the comparison between the difference ⁇ D1 and the fourth set value, if a judgment that the replacement is necessary or the replacement time is approaching is made with respect to at least one of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713, the automobile 1 notifies a driver, etc., of the second warning information. Accordingly, a driver, etc., can be aware in advance of the replacement time of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts, etc., thereby reducing the possibility of missing the replacement time.
  • the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 may perform control to be described below, instead of the control described with reference to FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of another example of control performed by the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the rest of the control partially shown in FIG. 12 .
  • the control shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is similar to the control described with reference to FIG. 3 except for the following points. That is, under the control shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the controlling section 80 executes steps S11 to S13 between step S4 and step S5, and executes steps S14 to S16 between step S6 and step S7. Steps S11 to S13 are the same as steps S1 to S3, respectively. Steps S14 to S16 are the same as steps S1 to S3, respectively. If the processing section 810 makes a judgment of "Yes" in step S5, the controlling section 80 executes again the sequence including steps S11 to S13 and S5. If the processing section 810 makes a judgment of "Yes" in step S9, the controlling section 80 executes again the sequence including steps S14 to S16 and S7 to S9.
  • step S5 and S9 Under the control shown in FIG. 3 , if judgment results in steps S5 and S9 are "Yes", the operations return to step S1. On the other hand, under the controls shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , if judgment results in steps S5 and S9 are "Yes”, the operations return to steps S11 and S14, respectively, without returning to step S1. That is, in the latter control, if a judgment result in step S4 is "No”, step S4 is not executed again, and if a judgment result in step S5 is "No”, step S5 is not executed again. Even the case where such control is performed can produce the same effect as in the case where the control described with reference to FIG. 3 is performed.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of yet another example of control performed by the exhaust gas-purifying system shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another part of the control partially shown in FIG. 14 .
  • FIGS. 14 and 15 The control shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is similar to the control described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 except that the steps shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are executed instead of the steps shown in FIG. 13 .
  • Steps S17 to S19 are the same as steps S1 to S3 described above, respectively.
  • controlling section 80 executes steps S20 to S22.
  • Step S20 is the same as step S7 except that a cumulative driving distance D2 is estimated instead of the cumulative driving distance D1 using a fifth set value instead of the third set value.
  • the fifth set value may be equal to or different from the third set value. In the latter case, the fifth set value may be less or greater than the third set value.
  • the fifth set value is equal to the third set value.
  • Step S22 is the same as step S9 except that the difference ⁇ 2 and a sixth set value are used instead of the difference ⁇ D1 and the fourth set value, respectively.
  • the sixth set value is a value less than the fourth set value.
  • the fourth set value is 20,000 km and the sixth set value is 10,000 km.
  • step S22 If the processing section 810 makes a judgment of "Yes” in step S22, the controlling section 80 executes again the sequence including steps S17 to S22. If the processing section 810 makes a judgment of "No” in step S22, the controlling section 80 outputs a video signal corresponding to third warning information to the display section 100. The display section 100 notifies a driver of the third warning information by displaying it (step S23 in FIG. 15 ).
  • Steps S24 to S26 are the same as steps S1 to S3 described above, respectively.
  • Step S27 is the same as step S5 except that a seventh set value is used instead of the second set value.
  • the seventh set value is a value greater than the second set value.
  • step S27 If the processing section 810 makes a judgment of "Yes” in step S27, the controlling section 80 executes again the sequence including steps S24 to S27. If the processing section 810 makes a judgment of "No" in step S27, the controlling section 80 outputs a video signal corresponding to fourth warning information to the display section 100. The display section 100 notifies a driver of the fourth warning information by displaying it (step S28 in FIG. 15 ).
  • the fourth warning information is, for example, information indicating that at least one of the exhaust gas-purifying catalysts 712 and 722 and the diesel particulate filter 713 should be replaced.
  • the combustion engine is a diesel engine; however, the combustion engine may be another type of internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine, or may be an external combustion engine.
  • output of the combustion engine is used as a propulsive force.
  • output of the combustion engine may be used to generate electric power, and output of another device driven by the generated electric power, such as output of a motor may be used as a propulsive force.
  • a four-wheeled vehicle has been described as an example of the automotive vehicle; however, the automotive vehicle may be a vehicle other than the four-wheeled vehicle, for example, a two-wheeled vehicle, a multi-wheeled vehicle with five or more wheels, a mobile heavy machine, a railway vehicle, a ship, or an airplane.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas After Treatment (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas Treatment By Means Of Catalyst (AREA)
EP17906982.8A 2017-04-26 2017-12-20 Exhaust gas purification system and automotive vehicle Active EP3617466B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2017087136A JP6435369B2 (ja) 2017-04-26 2017-04-26 排ガス浄化システム及び自動推進車両
PCT/JP2017/045815 WO2018198429A1 (ja) 2017-04-26 2017-12-20 排ガス浄化システム及び自動推進車両

Publications (3)

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EP3617466A1 EP3617466A1 (en) 2020-03-04
EP3617466A4 EP3617466A4 (en) 2020-08-19
EP3617466B1 true EP3617466B1 (en) 2022-02-23

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EP (1) EP3617466B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP6435369B2 (zh)
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WO (1) WO2018198429A1 (zh)

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US11311287B2 (en) 2006-02-03 2022-04-26 Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc Method for tissue fixation
US10517587B2 (en) 2006-02-03 2019-12-31 Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc Method and apparatus for forming a self-locking adjustable loop

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2836522B2 (ja) * 1995-03-24 1998-12-14 トヨタ自動車株式会社 内燃機関の排気浄化装置
JPH08338297A (ja) * 1995-04-12 1996-12-24 Toyota Motor Corp 触媒劣化判定装置
JPH09144531A (ja) * 1995-11-22 1997-06-03 Riken Corp 排気ガス浄化システム監視装置及び監視方法
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JP3684854B2 (ja) 1998-07-02 2005-08-17 日産自動車株式会社 内燃機関の触媒劣化診断装置
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JP5835488B2 (ja) * 2012-07-27 2015-12-24 トヨタ自動車株式会社 内燃機関の排気浄化装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20200056529A1 (en) 2020-02-20
CN110546356A (zh) 2019-12-06
JP6435369B2 (ja) 2018-12-05
EP3617466A4 (en) 2020-08-19
WO2018198429A1 (ja) 2018-11-01
JP2018184899A (ja) 2018-11-22
EP3617466A1 (en) 2020-03-04
CN110546356B (zh) 2021-08-06
US11118495B2 (en) 2021-09-14

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